A great yarn: Lauren knits her way to success

Spinning success looms for homegrown wool business

Sitting at home, knitting herself a cosy scarf, Lauren Howden suddenly realised the “wool” she was using came all the way from Turkey and was 80% acrylic.

It dawned on her, as she looked out of her window across a field full of sheep, that this didn’t make sense.

“In my home county of Lincolnshire alone there are thousands of sheep, never mind the rest of the country. With fuel costs getting higher and higher I thought there had to be a way to find British wool.”

That was easier said than done.

Determined by nature, Lauren, 21, who had started knitting at the age of eight, set about researching where she could find native wool.

“I eventually tracked it down but it was really expensive. Even so, I knitted my scarf. It was so much better and infinitely nicer to wear and work with. I bought a fair bit and started making myself different things, like gloves.”

More and more friends and family started to comment on them.

Lauren, from Mablethorpe, realised she may have hit on a great business idea.

She was right.

“I found that there are farmers out there hard at work supplying their own wool. There are also a handful of spinning mills, particular in Yorkshire and Lanarkshire, Cornwall and the Shetland Islands, who all supply wonderful wool.

“I realised there was a big hole in the market for British-made, stylish, woollen goods.”

Knitting up prototypes Lauren tested the market with friends and family and realised she was on to a winner with reasonably priced woollen cushions, throws and other accessories.

“People assume because something is British that it is going to be horrendously expensive – that’s not the case.”

With handmade samples ready to roll, Lauren applied for grants and prizes to boost her cash flow. A small part-time job in a local shop wasn’t going to be enough.

“Although I still live at home and my parents are really supportive, I needed more cash.”

Success came when Lauren applied to Shell LiveWIRE, a scheme which offers advice and guidance to young entrepreneurs aged 16 to 30 to help get their ideas off the ground.

Lauren scooped a Shell LiveWIRE Grand Ideas award, which came with a very useful £1,000.

“I also made it in to their Hot 40 Young Entrepreneurs list!”

The cash allowed her to buy a loom and she started to experiment. The results are beautiful, hand-woven purses, lined with organic cotton.

“I also decided I needed a more efficient way to produce cushions. Word of mouth led me to small factory in Manchester. I also pulled together a team of local knitters.”

Just in time for Christmas, Lauren launched a website for her company, The Counted Sheep. “I’m focusing on my online business first and foremost,” she says. “I’m selling the yarns and wool as well, which are really popular.

“It feels so good being my own boss. I could never have imagined this when I was at school.”

Next year will be a key one for her.

“I’ve booked myself into some trade shows and will begin to promote The Counted Sheep in a much bigger way. I’m also working with The Campaign for Wool, which is supported by Prince Charles. It is so exciting. I’m just loving the challenge.”